NEA Women in Business: Andrea Andrews

Residence: Jonesboro

Education: Bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in advertising, Arkansas State University

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? The most fulfilling moment of my career so far was when I was able to open Compass Rose Realty and combine my passions for real estate, teaching, and advertising.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? The next challenge in real estate I plan to take on is to obtain my auctioneer license so Compass Rose Realty can add another tool to our toolbox and become a real estate brokerage and auction house so we will be able to better serve the real estate needs of the clients we love to serve.

What character traits do you feel have benefited you in your success? To best serve the real estate needs of clients in real estate you have to be educated, diplomatic, a creative problem solver, excellent at negotiations, and persistent. A strong background in technology is also extremely beneficial.

How do you spend your time away from work? What are your hobbies? When I’m not negotiating contracts for clients, I enjoy spending time with my children, family, and friends, especially on the water. Boating, rafting, and tubing are my favorite ways to relax. I also enjoy traveling to anywhere I haven’t been before, getting lost in a good book, and trying out new recipes.

Can you share how COVID impacted your business or organization during the pandemic? Real estate flourished during the pandemic. Inventory and interest rates were low and demand was high. We had to make modifications to the way we did business during that time. In any career you must learn how to adapt to industry and economic changes, be able to shift gears and find the niche in any given market setting.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? Follow your heart. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Spend years on research and developing your craft. Cut out any distractions. If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. It takes 10,000 hours to master a skill. Don’t give up on your dreams.

What’s the last good book you read? This one is so hard. I can usually find great nuggets in any book that I read. The last great book I read that has left an impact on my career and personal life is “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy.

What’s your favorite app at the moment? My favorite app is LandGlide. It is a wonderful resource for many things real estate related, and I use it daily.

Who have been mentors who’ve influenced your professional career? First, my mom and dad instilled a strong foundation for me to build on. Second, I would not be where I am today without the support, love, and encouragement from fellow Realtor Pam Martin and Maurice Taylor of Vivid Learning Center who have helped shape me into becoming the best Realtor and broker I can be. The admin, agents, and clients of Compass Rose Realty continue to help me learn and grow on a daily basis.

If you have a bucket list, what are the top three things on it? I have a bucket list and the top three things on it are to leave the world a little better than I found it, to have created a legacy that will set a great example for my children and future grandchildren, and to travel to every corner of the earth to broaden my horizons.

What was your dream job and why? My dream job has always been to be a Realtor. Helping clients find properties that suit their real estate needs has been a lifelong calling and become a lifestyle for me. Real estate is a journey through life’s various stages, and it is an honor and privilege to help guide our clients through the process.

Do you have a significant other and/or children? If so what do you guys like to do for fun? I have a son, Noah, almost 16, daughter Sophia — 14 going on 21 — and an amazing partner, Daniel Turner, who is also a real estate agent. We love to spend time adventuring, traveling, antiquing, and trying out the local fare in new places.